Child and youth counselors work with school-age children, adolescents and teenagers who have physical or emotional needs or substance-abuse problems. Youth counselors work in various settings including mental health clinics, group homes, schools, community social services agencies and juvenile correctional facilities. Depending on where a counselor is employed, education and training requirements vary. Generally, employers look for applicants who have a college education even for entry-level positions.

Enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year accredited college. Major in psychology, social work, counseling, human services or a related field. Many states require that child and youth counselors go on to complete a master’s degree program before you can be licensed.

Sign up for public speaking and writing classes or join a student debating society in college to help you develop strong verbal and written communication skills. Study a second language. Bilingual individuals, who are proficient in speaking and writing Spanish along with English, qualify for more job opportunities.

Work under the supervision of an experienced counselor by completing a practicum and internship in a clinic, school or social service agency to get hands-on working experience. Volunteerism provides additional opportunities for working with children.

Submit to a criminal background check. Contact the state police to find out how you can obtain an FBI fingerprint background check for employment. You may have to submit your request for a criminal background check through the employing agency. The employer may also administer a drug- and alcohol-screening program. Refusing to take the test or failing a test may make you ineligible for hire.

Complete a CPR and first aid training course. Most employers require that you have current CPR certification. Contact the American Red Cross about taking a first aid and CPR class specifically designed for youth counselors and other adults who work directly with children and youths. You will receive a certificate as proof that you completed the course.

Contact your state licensure board, as licensing requirements and procedures vary. As a rule, you must have a master’s degree, pass a written exam and acquire a specified number of supervised clinical hours to qualify. After receiving your license, you must complete continuing education credits according to your state’s guidelines.

Apply for professional certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors. You can also seek certification in a specialty area such as addictions counseling, clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. Counselors need the National Certified Counselor certification before applying for a specialty certification.

About the Author

While business skills are essential in any career field today, my MBA degree in combination with more than 25 years of employment experience in the fields of human services, higher education, health care, continuing care services for senior adults, and freelance writing have aided me in developing a number of strategic strengths including: · Commitment to providing the highest quality of written work · Effective communication and writing skills · Reliability and high standards for writing · Initiative and ability to thoroughly research a topic {{}}